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Ex-Bush spokesman at Libby trial Bush's ex-spokesman rebuts Libby
(about 1 hour later)
Ex-White House spokesman Ari Fleischer has testified as a prosecution witness at the trial of former US vice presidential aide Lewis Libby. Former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer has told a court that a key former aide to the vice-president revealed secret information to him.
Mr Fleischer said Mr Libby had told him over lunch that the wife of a prominent Iraq war critic worked at the CIA. Mr Fleischer said Lewis Libby told him on 7 July 2003 that Valerie Plame, the wife of administration critic Joseph Wilson, worked for the CIA.
He told the court their conversation had happened on 7 July 2003 - before Mr Libby says he learned about the agent. Mr Libby is on trial, charged with lying to investigators trying to find out who leaked the secret information.
That discrepancy is at the heart of the perjury and obstruction trial of Mr Libby - who denies the charges. Mr Libby denies the charges, and no-one was ever charged with the leak itself.
If found guilty Lewis "Scooter" Libby - who was Vice-President Dick Cheney's chief of staff - could face up to 30 years in jail. Mr Fleischer was a prosecution witness at the high-profile trial, becoming the fourth current or former official to contradict Mr Libby's account of how and when he learned Ms Plame worked for the CIA.
'Hush hush' It is a crime to knowingly reveal the identity of an undercover CIA agent.
The trial in Washington scrutinises the conduct of the White House in the run-up to the Iraq war. Mr Fleischer said Mr Libby told him about Ms Plame at lunch a day after her husband published an article accusing the Bush administration of misusing intelligence in the run-up to the war against Iraq.
It has been alleged CIA operative Valerie Plame was "outed" in revenge for attack by her husband, diplomat Joseph Wilson, on President George W Bush's use of intelligence to justify the war. Mr Libby added that the information was "hush-hush", Mr Fleischer testified.
If found guilty, Lewis "Scooter" Libby - who was Vice-President Dick Cheney's chief of staff - could face up to 30 years in jail.
'Attack on critic'
The trial in Washington is scrutinising the conduct of the White House in the run-up to the Iraq war.
Mr Wilson, the administration critic, alleges that his wife was "outed" in revenge for his attack on President George W Bush's use of intelligence to justify the war.
Lewis Libby is accused of perjury and obstruction of justiceLewis Libby is accused of perjury and obstruction of justice
Revealing an agent's name is a serious offence in the US, though the case is not about who leaked her name, but the alleged cover-up.
Mr Libby told FBI agents and a grand jury that he learned Ms Plame was a CIA agent from reporters.Mr Libby told FBI agents and a grand jury that he learned Ms Plame was a CIA agent from reporters.
But during his testimony on Monday, Mr Fleischer - who was chief White House spokesman until mid-2003 - appeared to contradict this.But during his testimony on Monday, Mr Fleischer - who was chief White House spokesman until mid-2003 - appeared to contradict this.
He said Mr Libby had invited him to lunch. The two discussed Mr Fleischer's planned departure from office and their shared interest in American football, the former press secretary added.He said Mr Libby had invited him to lunch. The two discussed Mr Fleischer's planned departure from office and their shared interest in American football, the former press secretary added.
The conversation, he said, then turned to the growing criticism of the administration voiced by Mr Wilson.The conversation, he said, then turned to the growing criticism of the administration voiced by Mr Wilson.
"Ambassador Wilson was sent by his wife," Mr Fleischer recalled Mr Libby saying. "His wife works for the CIA.""Ambassador Wilson was sent by his wife," Mr Fleischer recalled Mr Libby saying. "His wife works for the CIA."
Mr Libby also named her as Valerie Plame and told him it was "hush hush", Mr Fleischer said.
CredibilityCredibility
Mr Fleischer testified under an immunity deal with prosecutors, which correspondents say he sought because he subsequently discussed Ms Plame with reporters.Mr Fleischer testified under an immunity deal with prosecutors, which correspondents say he sought because he subsequently discussed Ms Plame with reporters.
Defence lawyers were expected to argue that the deal makes Mr Fleischer's testimony less credible, as he might have been pressured into testifying against Mr Libby. Defence lawyers attacked his credibility, pressing him on how well he remembered the details of a conversation that took place more than three years ago.
Mr Fleischer responded that he was sure Mr Libby had told him about Mr Wilson's wife working for the CIA, though he admitted he could not be "absolutely certain" Mr Libby had used her name.
Last week other witnesses - including Mr Cheney's spokeswoman Cathie Martin - told the court Mr Libby had discussed Ms Plame before he had admitted doing so.Last week other witnesses - including Mr Cheney's spokeswoman Cathie Martin - told the court Mr Libby had discussed Ms Plame before he had admitted doing so.
Mr Libby said he had not lied about the date he heard about Ms Plame's identity, but simply forgot previous conversations at a time when his priority was national security.Mr Libby said he had not lied about the date he heard about Ms Plame's identity, but simply forgot previous conversations at a time when his priority was national security.